Proper winter care for Trachy

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 9:39 am

Hi,
I've got 2 Trachy's that were planted back in early August and am wondering what the best thing to do for them for their first winter. I'm in zone 7A central/northern Maryland. I was planning in putting a wire cage around each and filling the interior with straw and tieing the fronds fairly tighly together with maybe a frost cloth covering the fronds. I was also going to provide some plastic at the soil line to keep water from entering the roots during the typical Maryland winter rainy day of 40d F during the day and sub freezing at night. They are also planted in soil which I've added about 5-10% sand for better drainage. When I get time I'll post some pics of my 2 new buddies. I've searched online through misc other sites and seem to get conflicting info on care. So basically, does what I'm proposing above sound reasonable or should there be any additional heat sources such as christmas lights for my 7A conditions.
Thanks in advance for any input.

Cameron_z6a_N.S. · Post by **Cameron_z6a_N.S.** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 11:33 am

I would say that is decent protection, but you might also want to heavily mulch the soil around the palms. Since they were planted in August, there hasn't been as much time for the roots to acclimatize, so they might go into more shock during the winter. Mulch will help reduce the moisture and cold severity for them.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Wed Nov 02, 2011 2:13 pm

Welcome!
There is great advice here from folks who know a lot more than I.
I think your plan will be fine for a normal winter.
I suggest at least considering a line of pipe heat tape. Wrap it around the trunk, not overlapping, and up to the spear base, with the tip (where the thermostat is) just above the spear. Use an extension cord to connect to an outdoor outlet. It does not cost much to buy at any hardware store, and uses very little electricity. It gives you a margin if you get unusually cold weather, and peace of mind. I did this for Trachy and it kept them alive after a record cold (-22 oF) spell.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 7:45 am

Hi Tarkus, welcome aboard.
Will look forward to seeing your pics.
Wondering how big they are.

7A is a great zone for Trachies but if you have a brutal winter, keeping rain from turning to ice in the spear area is critical.

The only downside I can see with your plans is a wire basket filled with straw won't allow you to add heat later if severe cold threatens.

I like the advice so far: heavy mulch around its base and heat tape.
the heat tape's thermostat won't even "kick in" until it gets cold.
Perfect for your zone.

I'm personally not keen on straw (if you were to use Christmas lights, for example, because of fire risk).
Heat tape = no fire risk.

Barb

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 8:13 am

When I have used hay, I have pulled it away on warm, sunny, breezy dry days to let the trunk dry. I then replaced the hay with entirely new fresh dry hay. I think that reduces the risk of fungal infection. Oh yes, I also sprayed fungicide on trunk and spear before replacing with the new hay.

I have used hay together with C9 Christmas lights and not had problems with fire. Beginner's luck, I guess.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:27 am

Thanks to all for the advice. I think I'll give the Christmas light/heat tape options more consideration now. Unfortunately i don't have an outlet anywhere near this side of my house (although code says I should but that's another story). I have checked into it a bit and can probably get a new GFI installed near these Trachy's for about $125. THat's not too bad considering I can always use it for other instances.
This is great as one of my concerns was possible fungus issues with the straw being on there for so long.

Thanks again.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:30 am

Oh yeah, they stand about 4-5' to the very top but when I do get to posting any pics you'll notice they did take a little beating from when Hurricane Irene came up the coast late summer.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:37 am

We do like photos here!
I too needed an electrician, but couldn't afford one. I ran extension cords instead. Those pipe heating tapes draw very little power so I didn't worry about the load.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 9:48 am

yeah I'm not so savvy with the pc. I noticed I had a pic here at my office and not sure how to insert it, and of course my lunch break is just about over. I will try again though as I too enjoy the other pics everyone has posted.

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 11:08 am

Hey- I am in Maryland 7A as well. I have had Trachies for going on 10 years now.

Mine are always heavily mulched. I then built leaf cages around them using plastic mesh. I did not tie the fonds,but rather wended the leaves around them so they would be supported and covered. Also used a bit of burlap here and there. This worked fine except that moisture would get in and give the fonds a few rotted spots. Nothing serious and they recovered fairly fast.

I amended this set up last year after having read others' methods on this site. I used long stakes aournd the cages and hoisted tarps over the trees. This worked great to keep them dry and they lookedl liked they had not missed a beat. Lot of prep though.

I have said this before, but all things being equal, a portable greenhouse and lightbulb are best. That protected my Butia. But trees being what the are, they outgrow these devices. If yours are still small enough, try that.

This year, I am going with mulch and burlap. No leaf cages. I do not have the time this year and the Trachys are now taller than the tallest stake I can find. Besides, I left them unprotected one winter and they did fine. The Butia will get Xmas lights.

Trachies are not hard to protect around here. I leave my Needles and Sables unprotected and none have died. Just a few singes.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 1:06 pm

Pictures, Jack, please!

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 2:07 pm

Any issue that anyone knows of if I just wrap my entire PVC "cage" with bubble wrap(aside from the heat tape and christmas lights of course)

Cage has been changed a bit since this pic was taken, Domed, vs slanted roof now and more reinforcement. We've had such a mild fall so far haven't had to do final protection yet (christmas lights and bubble wrap) This palm faces the south and protected by garage wall and roof eve.

I can wrap the bubble wrap as much around it as I need to. Just trying to allow the natural light to come in vs enclosing it up totally and not allowing natural light to enter.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 4:52 pm

Pictures of my trachys right after planting in August.

http://postimage.org/image/km0d8p5k3/

wxman · Post by **wxman** » Thu Nov 03, 2011 6:58 pm

Where did you get those from? They look really leggy.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:34 am

I never really thought about that but now that you mention it, I agree.
Anyway, I couldn't find any in my area and went through TyTy online. I believe they're from Georgia. I went through them b/c I do know someone that ordered direct through them for a Pindo and had no issues at all so they were personally recommended. Of course afterwards, I have seen bad reviews.

TerdalFarm · Post by **TerdalFarm** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 6:43 am

Funny that they were hard to find there. They are easy to find here, in zone 6b where they do not really do well. I guess it is because we get lumped in with Dallas

If you do road trips to the south anyways, consider buying palms down in Norfolk or NC next time you are down there.

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:16 am

I actually recall one nursery that had no idea whatsoever that you could get palms for a 7A climate.

I will keep your suggestion in mind about Norfolk if these 2 do well. I may end up getting another for other areas of my yard.

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 7:37 am

Tarkus wrote:I actually recall one nursery that had no idea whatsoever that you could get palms for a 7A climate.

I will keep your suggestion in mind about Norfolk if these 2 do well. I may end up getting another for other areas of my yard.

One upon a time mine were that size. Feed them and baby them and you will have something akin to coastal Carolina soon enough.

Where are you in Maryland? You can get Trachies around here.

TerdalFarm:

Someday....

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:46 am

I'm in Harford County and have literally checked every nursery within a "reasonable" distance of my house. I also include a few stops at Hd and Lowes. I did see online that a Home Depot in Delaware had them but when we called they were out. I guess that's a good sign though as I would love to see these things popping up here and there and just generally being more common in the area.

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:11 am

Tarkus wrote:I'm in Harford County and have literally checked every nursery within a "reasonable" distance of my house. I also include a few stops at Hd and Lowes. I did see online that a Home Depot in Delaware had them but when we called they were out. I guess that's a good sign though as I would love to see these things popping up here and there and just generally being more common in the area.

I see. I am in MoCo, just outside DC.

I had to travel down to Smithfield, VA to grab my first 3 Trachies. A place down there set them aside for me and I made a day of it. Since then, I have discovered that they are-- how should I say?-- sporadically plentiful around here. Maybe they always were and I never notices. Or maybe times have changed.

Were I you, come Spring I would devote a day and come down here.

Hollywood and Vines in Alexandria, VA is nearly a sure bet as they specialize in exotics. I have also seen a few at Bettys Azalea Ranch in Fairfax, VA as well.

Behnkes in Beltsville, MD always has a few lying around. I called once and asked and they had no idea what I was talking about. I drove there and found a 2 footer on sale. So it goes.

You could conceivably hit all three in one day and also stop at any Home Depot on the way as they all have them although its hit or miss.

If not, order from Chilly Palm. They do a Spring delivery
http://www.chillypalmtree.com/

wxman · Post by **wxman** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:23 am

Tarkus wrote:I never really thought about that but now that you mention it, I agree.
Anyway, I couldn't find any in my area and went through TyTy online. I believe they're from Georgia. I went through them b/c I do know someone that ordered direct through them for a Pindo and had no issues at all so they were personally recommended. Of course afterwards, I have seen bad reviews.

Yeah, don't worry. Their new fronds will be stocky. They might look funny for a bit, but in a few years they will look great!

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 9:36 am

I think all this depends on whether these 2 make it through their first winter. I know with proper care they should be fine but since I'm new at this, i'm a bit more cautious. I think if they make it through ok, I will head south a bit and pick out another for the Southeast side of my house (unfortunately the 2 in the pic are on the Northwest side but that's where the gate is).
Anyway, thanks to all for all the helpful info and encouragement, it's much appreciated.

JackLord · Post by **JackLord** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 11:01 am

Tarkus wrote:I think all this depends on whether these 2 make it through their first winter. I know with proper care they should be fine but since I'm new at this, i'm a bit more cautious. I think if they make it through ok, I will head south a bit and pick out another for the Southeast side of my house (unfortunately the 2 in the pic are on the Northwest side but that's where the gate is).
Anyway, thanks to all for all the helpful info and encouragement, it's much appreciated.

If you protect them, they will make it.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Fri Nov 04, 2011 8:34 pm

Tarkus, great photo.

Leggy is usually from having been grown in shade at nursery.
They'll settle in and fill out, takes a couple of years.
Since they haven't been in the ground very long (and haven't developed many, if any, new roots into the surrounding soil), protecting them is critical the first winter.

Planting in spring gives roots a whole season to develop.

Protect them for the coldest winter your area's ever had...check weather records.

Sounds like a great day trip coming up in Spring...take a truck.

Any issue that anyone knows of if I just wrap my entire PVC "cage" with bubble wrap(aside from the heat tape and christmas lights of course)

The only issue would be cooking the palm, temps on a very mild day in February might create 100F inside there.
I think you've got to weigh the benefits of getting light/heat into the palm with overheating it with too much plastic exposed.
Plus plastic isn't a great insulator when it's 10F...

Barb

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 9:30 am

I think I'll change my original plan from the straw to basically plastic wrap with heat tape. I"ll just have to make sure they don't get heated too much but I do plan on keeping a very careful eye on them for their first winter. My reasoning is that it isn't too uncommon to get a 60-70d F day in February. if I go with the straw method, I won't have a heat source for the potential nasty cold days and also run the risk of potential root rot as I wouldn't be able to change the straw much.

any idea of what to set the heat setting on? I was thinking maybe the freezing mark but may drop it a bit lower to around 20-25F.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Mon Nov 07, 2011 2:17 pm

In a 7A, you may need to get rid of humidity build-up inside plastic enclosed winter protection.
Especially if you get frequent winter rain.

A small slit or two near the top of plastic would allow humidity out.

New heat tapes can be SET?

My old one just kicks in as it approaches freezing and stays warm to the touch.

Barb

Tarkus · Post by **Tarkus** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 9:00 am

Well we certainly do get more winter rain than snow, unfortunately. But I was planning on providing some type of opening to give some ventilation.
As far as the heat tape, I really don't know about settings but figure worst case, I can always adjust everything manually. I really don't expect to use it during the daylight hours anyway ulness we're really expecting a nasty cold spell.

lucky1 · Post by **lucky1** » Tue Nov 08, 2011 10:22 am

planning on providing some type of opening to give some ventilation.

Good idea when you receive a lot of winter rain.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Mon Nov 14, 2011 2:06 pm

My first winter attempt here. I know this "hut" is on the small side, but I've see other members tie up their windmills, and was also looking for a smaller space to keep warm. 9ft of heat tape surround/under root ball, then piled high with cedar mulch. String of 25C7 Christmas lights taped and zip tied to all 4 corners of the structure, and plugged into a thermocube. I will be wrapping the entire outside with bubble wrap. The top "dome" is removable, and will leave off till the really cold weather hits. I'll have wireless thermometer at crown of plant to keep watch on it. This plant faces the South. When needed I will also wrap the "dome" in bubble wrap and snap down on PVC pipe...but still will come up with something to help with ventilation. I may come up with a PVC water feed pipe to give plant water during the winter time...like once a month??? I've read here when members that have used heat tape have cooked their windmills by not providing water to them over the winter. PVC pipe is driven about 20" in the ground and is very sturdy, although this first winter I will provide some additional stability.

Pics...

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 6:54 am

I'm not sure if a "palm hut" I've made for my two Trachies is good enough for overwintering but it's done anyway. Neither heat nor light source inside.

sashaeffer · Post by **sashaeffer** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:02 am

Looks good to me! will stay dry, and out of brutle winds.

igor.glukhovtsev · Post by **igor.glukhovtsev** » Tue Nov 15, 2011 7:13 am

Thanks Scott! The only thing I'm happy to declare there are no cold brutal winds in the place I live. No winds at all! BTW I know what you mean from my Toronto life experience...

PalmsNorth.com

Proper winter care for Trachy

Proper winter care for Trachy

Hay

Getting closer to bundling up for the winter.....